IMG hit by £2m TV loss

THE PGA of America, organisers of the last major of the season, are very relaxed despite losing around £2million of rights revenue from the breakdown of negotiations between Sky and agents IMG. The reason is they had already agreed a guaranteed payment for the rights with IMG, who are the ones out of pocket.

Sky used to have a seven-figure agreement with IMG that gave them first choice on all their TV content, allowing the network to establish their tennis and golf coverage.

Worryingly for Sky, they have yet to agree a deal for the Masters next year when the BBC have already signed up for two days live and a highlights package. But at least Sky are dealing directly with Augusta rather than through IMG.

Meanwhile, Colin Montgomerie is at The Open working for the Golf Channel, having failed to agree terms with Sky to extend his pundit duties before the start of the Masters. His long-time agents are… IMG.

l ANDREW ‘Beef’ Johnston demonstrated why he is so popular with golf fans by taking two-and-a half hours to play seven holes of his practice round on Tuesday because he signed every autograph request.

QATAR’S political isolation in the Middle East hasn’t stopped Doha-based TV network beIN Sport retaining Champions League rights for the region and North Africa. This is a particular blow for Dubai-centred rivals OSN, who had drafted in a team of ex-Sky personnel led by Martin Stewart to win football rights from beIN.